Time to prepare for worst

Friday

Dec 10, 2010 at 12:01 AMDec 10, 2010 at 9:05 AM

When you don't know what's coming - winter weather-wise - you might as well prepare for the worst in December.

According to the National Weather Service, this weekend's biggest storm-smack should hit north of Peoria. Central Illinois can expect rain turning to light snow Saturday and falling temperatures all day Sunday.

But if that storm shifts slightly south, blowing snow might make roads extremely hazardous: It's almost a sure thing that frigid temperatures and winds gusting up to 35 mph will combine for a windchill factor of 15 degrees below zero here by Monday and Tuesday.

"Anybody who has any travel plans Peoria or northward would want to be aware of the weather," said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service.

When you don't know what's coming - winter weather-wise - you might as well prepare for the worst in December.

According to the National Weather Service, this weekend's biggest storm-smack should hit north of Peoria. Central Illinois can expect rain turning to light snow Saturday and falling temperatures all day Sunday.

But if that storm shifts slightly south, blowing snow might make roads extremely hazardous: It's almost a sure thing that frigid temperatures and winds gusting up to 35 mph will combine for a windchill factor of 15 degrees below zero here by Monday and Tuesday.

"Anybody who has any travel plans Peoria or northward would want to be aware of the weather," said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist for the weather service.

If it snows

After some wicked winters, the City of Peoria has procedures in place for snow "events," which you can read in full on the city's website at www.ci.peoria.il.us/snow. Generally speaking, when there is 2 inches of snow or more, the goal is to clear streets within 18 hours of the end of the storm, although it may take longer for a major blizzard.

"Actually, we are already planning for the next event and are glad to have had one reasonable-sized storm under our belt," Director of Public Works David Barber said Thursday via e-mail. "Given the potential for a major event, we are doing a bit more in anticipation of the event and we hope we do not need to initiate any of the major event measures."

If necessary, city crews will be out on 12-hour shifts, spreading a sand-salt mixture or plowing, depending upon the conditions. Snow removal routes have been prioritized. Parking bans might be declared - but a 48-hour ban is automatic on snow routes when there is more than 2 inches of snow: Get your car off the street if you're on a snow route, or face the chance of a $250 ticket, plus possible towing costs.

Home rules

Whether you're on a snow route or not, clearing your sidewalk and driveway is your responsibility, even if the city dumps snow there, and you are not allowed to dump it back on a city street. According to the plan, also generally speaking, city crews are not allowed to tow private cars or plow private property.

"We will be watching the forecast and as the event gets closer we will be making decisions about what we will be doing to respond," Barber said.

Snow updates are available at 494-8830, on cable television channel 22 or at www.ci.peoria.il.us.

If it blows

Whether or not there is a major storm this particular weekend, it won't be long in coming.

"Each winter we usually average about a dozen days where the temperature is below zero," Miller said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has several suggestions for things you can do to prepare.

For starters, consider a winter survival kit that includes several days' supply of food that doesn't need cooking or refrigeration, such as crackers and canned foods. (Don't forget specialty items for children or pets.) Make sure you have five gallons of water per person, in case your water pipes freeze and rupture. And stock up on medicine for any family members who need it.

And lest we forget

More general emergency supplies include an alternate way to heat your house, like firewood for the fireplace or kerosene for a kerosene heater, or an electric space heater with an automatic shut-off. Think about blankets, matches, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-powered radio and clock, batteries, and a non-electric can opener. Again, don't forget specialty items like diapers, hearing aid batteries or medical supplies.

If you have to be out on the road, the CDC says you should keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice, check your antifreeze level, replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture, and replace any worn tires.